Two weekends ago was the 2023 Michigan Old-Time Fiddlers Contest at the Applefest in New Boston. There were only four participants, and when I saw Trae McMaken (last year’s winner) seated near the stage, I knew that he would be this year’s winner as well. The guy is THAT good!
The contest was held later in the afternoon, which did see a bit more people in the audience than in previous years. There are also the problems with scheduling. First and foremost, the contest always goes on after the performance by the local middle school orchestra and choir. Every year, that performance always runs over because they go on late due to poor organization by the school music director. Thus, the contest began about 30 minutes late, and as expected, the blues/rock cover band scheduled to go on after the contest decided to start setting up some of its equipment during the contest.
It is sad that this old-time fiddle music is not as appreciated here in Michigan as it is in other parts of the country. I have preached about Michigan’s fiddle and music history many times, but it seems that very few people outside of the actual musicians care about it. I am glad to see that the Southeast Michigan Bluegrass Music Association has gotten some interest from young musicians recently for the scholarship awards. We have awarded one more student some scholarship money since I last wrote about it (https://luegra.design.blog/2023/08/06/sembma-scholarships-part-2/). I was hoping to see a new young fiddler at this year’s contest, but the four contestants were older fiddlers that have participated a number of times.
We can always hope for next October! In the meantime, if any of you know of any young fiddlers (or banjo players, or mandolin players, or acoustic guitarists) playing bluegrass or old-time music, be sure to send them to the SEMBMA website and have them fill out a scholarship application (https://smbluegrass.org/scholarships/).
As many of you know, I am moving out of my house and moving back into my folks’ house as they both have passed away. I have sold the house and will be completely out by November 1st. So every day I have been grabbing a box or two and shipping it back to my new homestead. Yesterday, while in Hamatramck at a stop light, I noticed a group of young people (about eight) on the corner singing standard Gospel songs like “Rock of Ages” and “Amazing Grace.” They were from a Christian youth group connected with Living Waters (http://www.livingwaters.com/). It was extremely strange, as Hamtramck has become a highly populated Muslim community, and of course, tensions due to the Hamas attack on Israel recently has gotten a lot of people on edge. But there they were, being brave, singing old-time Gospel tunes and holding signs requesting looking toward Jesus.
It warmed my heart to see that. While I am a devout Roman Catholic, I have always loved the songs that early bluegrass Gospel brought forth. On my way back down the street, I saw that they were still singing, so I went to the local store, picked up some soft drinks, and gave it to them, letting them know how beautiful the singing was. They were friendly, and while they started to try to get me to be a part of their organization, I felt obliged to let them know of my faith in Catholicism and that my parish was a few blocks from where we were.
Seeing young people so motivated by their Christian beliefs, and what is more to be standing in an area that could prove to be hostile, was extremely moving, Then again, Jesus was not set on preaching to the believers, but to preach to those that were straying from the Lord and help them see the light.
I end this blog with a video that my friend Sister Clare Marie of the Sister Servants of the Eternal Word sent me. I mentioned this group in previous blogs (https://luegra.design.blog/2020/08/07/nuns-performing-bluegrass-and-diversity/ and https://luegra.design.blog/2021/12/04/715/). These wonderful ladies stay in my heart always.
Chew on it and comment.
Luegra 